Is there a program for new people to become acquainted with this Temple and its beliefs?

Requested and Answered by Nassik_Dabak on 25-Nov-2007 02:06 (4265 reads)

Yes, there is a program for this exact purpose! It is called the Knight's Marshall program, and is required by all newcomers, or Initiates to follow. For this purpose, there is a Jedi Training Syllabus which all Jedi Training at the Temple of the Jedi Force follows:

I have worked faithfully on the following re-draft to incorporate the guidelines Master Grayson and a couple of others have discussed with me, and have also included the change to the Oath, the change to the Apprentice selection process, the corrections of wording and grammar, and the addition of the optional Ceremonial Hilt rite of passage my old Syllabus proposal included.

~Jedi Training Syllabus~

That which follows is an outline or guide for the induction and training of all Jedi within the Temple of the Jedi Force. This Syllabus simply names the minimum topics and assignments that all Jedi must meet in Force to progress within the ranks of the Temple.

This syllabus a minimum guide for those invested and involved in the training of the Temple's membership. Any teacher is free to add to these topics and assignments as they see fit. Added writings, quizzes, discussions, etc. are excellent contributions to the training of Apprentices. Any additional lesson material will be left to the sole discretion of the instructing Jedi Knights and Masters, provided that these minimum requirements are met and completed. These requirements are to be met by any potential Jedi whose training originates from the Temple of the Jedi Force, whether the actual training takes place offline in person or online.

Initiate (Registered User):

A Jedi Initiate, as a newcomer to the Temple, is charged with the responsibility of familiarizing themselves with the Temple of the Jedi Force and to introduce themselves to the rest of the Temple. To this end, a Jedi Initiate must start a journal in which they introduce themselves, tell the membership what drew them to this path, and explain why they wish to become a Jedi. The Knight's Marshallate is responsible for ensuring that Jedi Initiates start their journal, read over our Doctrines, and that all Initiates familiarize themselves with the basic precepts and foundations upon which the Temple of the Jedi Force is based. All Jedi Initiates must at minimum record in their journal discussion of the following:

The Jedi CodeThe Jedi CreedThe Three TenetsThe Sixteen Teachings of the JediThe Vows of the Jedi

The Knight's Marshallate also carries the duty of seeing the Initiate through the Program by asking questions, making comments and adding encouragement to the Initiate’s posts in his or her Journal until a Knight or Master wishes to take them on as an Apprentice, and are responsible for ensuring that Initiates are considered for Apprenticeship. After an Initiate completes these basics in thier journal, and with the approval of the Knight’s Marshallate, the Jedi Initiate becomes eligible for apprenticeship. The Knight's Marshallate may then recommend the Initiate be considered for Apprenticeship, or the Initiate may be chosen by either a Knight or a Master to become an Apprentice. The selection process for Apprentices works in one of two ways... the Knight or Master approaches their potential Apprentice, or an Initiate may ask a Knight or Master to train them if they feel led to do so. However, if a Knight or Master brings the newcomer in specifically, the Knight or Master has the option of taking the newcomer on immediately as an Apprentice. A Knight or Master may have multiple Apprentices so long as the number of Apprentices to Knight or Master does not exceed a ratio of two Apprentices to one Knight or Master. Furthermore, a Jedi Initiate may reject a Knight or Master that approaches them as a teacher. The Jedi Initiate will remain eligible to become an Apprentice indefinitely until they are approached by a Knight or Master who they feel led to work with, or until they feel led to approach a Knight or Master and request their training as an Apprentice. If no Knight or Master is paired with the Initiate within a reasonable period of time after the Knight's Marshallate feels the Initiate is ready to continue training, the Knight's Marshallate may continue teaching the Initiate until such a time as a Knight or Master may be found to assume the responsibility of training the new Apprentice. Regardless of which methodology of training is used, the full Knight's Marshall Program or the direct Mentor/Student training, all parts of the Doctrine Material from above must be completed by the student.

Apprentice:

An Apprentice’s primary responsibility is to familiarize themselves with the membership of the Temple, to learn of the Force through the wisdom and teachings of their master, and to gain an understanding of what it means to be a Jedi. All Apprentices are required to demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the following, which are introduced in Initiate training, but may be repeated and studied more in-depth under the guidance of their Mentor:

The Jedi CodeThe Jedi CreedThe Three TenetsThe Sixteen Teachings of the JediThe Vows of the Jedi

Cover the Joseph Campbell material found in the Study Downloads module and and other materials therein contained that the Knight or Master wishes to assign their Apprentice(s), and read "I, Jedi" by Michael Stackpole. *This is optional and left to the discretion of the Master.

In order for an Apprentice to be promoted to the rank of Jedi Knight they must have completed the required lesson plan, and demonstrate their understanding of these lessons and any further lessons their teacher has assigned in their journal. They must also have the recommendation of their teacher, as well as the majority vote of the Promotions Committee in favor of their promotion. Potential Jedi Knights must be at least eighteen years of age, although seventeen years of age is possible for consideration in the most exemplary and extraordinary of Apprentices. An Apprentice must retain this rank for a minimum of nine months before becoming eligible for advancement to the rank of Jedi Knight. Apprentices are also required to take the Jedi Oath and face the Jedi Trials before being Knighted:

Knighthood Rites of Passage:

The Jedi Oath(To be posted in the Apprentice's Journal):"As I prepare to enter Knighthood, I hereby vow before my fellow Jedi that I, (Your name here) born on (Your birth date here), without reservation, choose to follow the Jedi path with all of its duties and responsibilities. I vow that I shall do that which is right and do hereby profess my allegiance to the Force and its will. I vow to uphold my Jedi teachings, and to henceforth devote myself to the life of a Jedi Knight."

The Jedi Trials (The Apprentice is to write an essay on how he or she has faced these trials):The Trial of SkillThe Trial of the FleshThe Trial of CourageThe Trial of the Spirit

The Jedi Trials are to be assigned by the Knight, Master, or Promotions Committee to the Apprentice in question at the time that the Apprentice has complete all other prerequisites and the teacher feels is appropriate. The completed essays must be read and approved by the training Knight, Master, and/or the Promotions Committee. Following the reading of the Apprentice's essays, the Promotions Committee may vote for or against the Knight’s promotion to the rank of Jedi Knight.

The Ceremonial Lightsaber Hilt*This is optional and left to the discretion of the Knight or Master.

An important part of Jedi Tradition and Ceremony, the Ceremonial Lightsaber hilt is often misunderstood by non-Jedi. The Ceremonial Hilt should be unique to the Jedi who built, owns, or carries it, not an exact replica of a movie Lightsaber. A major difference between a replica Hilt and a Ceremonial Hilt is the crystal, gem, or multiple stones contained within the hilt's inner chamber. Used properly, gemstones and crystals enhance a Jedi's personal connection to the Force, as well as contributing their own properties to the Jedi who carries them... in this case, within their Ceremonial Hilt. The end result of a Ceremonial Lightsaber Hilt is a tool as well as an icon of one's Jedi path. By designing, planning, and choosing their own crystals to be contained within the Hilt, it is not only unique to that individual Jedi, but deeply connected to them as well. A Ceremonial Hilt can also be used as a focal point for Meditation... as well as a reminder of a Jedi's vows and commitment to the Order.

Jedi Knight:

A Jedi Knight’s primary responsibility is the education and training of Jedi Apprentices. A Knight may volunteer to aid in the education of Initiates as well if the volunteered assistance is accepted by the office of the Knight’s Marshall. In such a case the energies and efforts of the Knight in question are to be directed by the office of the Knight’s Marshall and the Knight must adhere to and obey the assignments of that office.

A Jedi Knight may be considered for promotion to Master after successfully training an Apprentice to the rank of Knight, or through a significant contribution to the Temple of the Jedi Force in some capacity (such as lore, special program(s), a body of written doctrine or other written works, serving on the Knight's Marshallate or Promotions Committee, etc). If there is a significant contribution made to the Temple of the Jedi Force (this excludes any and all financial contributions) the Knight in question can be nominated by the Promotions Committee to be considered for the rank of a Jedi Master. In either case, full promotion to the rank of Jedi Master is contingent upon the majority vote of the Promotions Committee, and upon completion of the Master's Trials. A Knight must retain this rank for a minimum of nine months before becoming eligible for advancement to the rank of Jedi Master.

The Master's Trials (The Knight is to write an essay on how he or she has faced these trials since becoming a Knight):The Trial of SkillThe Trial of the FleshThe Trial of CourageThe Trial of the Spirit

The key difference between the Knight's and Master's Trials is the growth of the Jedi themselves during their Knighthood. The Master's Trials are to be assigned by the Master or Promotions Committee to the Knight in question at the time that the teacher and/or the Promotions Committee feels is appropriate. The completed essays must be read and approved by the training Master and/or the Promotions Committee. Following the reading of the Knight’s essays, the Promotions Committee may vote for or against the Knight’s promotion to the rank of Jedi Master.

Jedi Master:

A Jedi Master’s primary responsibility is to continue in all of the duties of a Jedi Knight. The education of Apprentices and Initiates is still of great concern to a Jedi Master and a Master is still capable of taking on Apprentices of their own. In addition to these existing responsibilities every Jedi Master may be called upon to assume moderation control of the Temple of the Jedi Force’s message board forums, and serve on the various committees which have come to replace the Jedi Council This additional responsibility helps to ensure that the Temple’s message boards have moderation at nearly all times and that each Jedi Master takes responsibility for the content and conduct of the Temple of the Jedi Force’s message boards, where all members congregate (from the newest Initiate to the longest-standing Jedi Master), and to further serve our Temple by facilitating progress, unity, and order.